Aviation technology specialist SITA has established a new technology hub in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 

The hub will spearhead the development of advanced solutions, aimed at transforming the air travel industry.  

By focusing on enhancing operational efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and improving passenger experiences, the Cluj-Napoca hub is poised to address some of the most significant challenges in aviation today. 

The new facility will join the company’s other technology hubs in UK, Ireland, and India.  

It will concentrate on creating technologies that streamline passenger processing and travel.  

According to SITA, the facility will be crucial in the development of platforms SITA Flex, which allows passengers to check in and board with their mobile devices, reducing wait times by up to 40% globally.  

Additionally, SITA WorldTracer has achieved a 77% reduction in lost baggage incidents and has contributed to lower CO₂ emissions with its cloud-based system. 

SITA CEO David Lavorel said: “As the aviation industry undergoes rapid digital transformation, our new tech hub in Cluj-Napoca will help accelerate the development of technologies that meet growing passenger demand for faster, smarter, and greener travel. 

“The hub plays a crucial role in modernising passenger processing globally, with a focus on automation, biometrics, and AI, enabling more seamless and efficient travel solutions.” 

This hub is integral to the company’ efforts in delivering scalable, secure, and privacy-centric digital identity solutions, such as the Digital Travel Credential (DTC), which supports real-time identity verification and passenger processing systems. 

It is not only a significant addition to SITA’s global technology strategy but also a contributor to the wider digital transformation of the aviation sector. 

Last month, SITA deployed its Smart Path end-to-end biometric passenger processing system at nine Indian airports under the DigiYatra initiative.